I don’t know anyone that does not remember Tony Terry; he had several R&B hits in the late 80’s! Remember his song “With You” from his self-titled second album in 1990? This song still makes women swoon today! It’s one of the most requested wedding songs of all time!!

Tony Terry was born in North Carolina and raised in Washington, D.C. While in D.C., he attended and graduated from the Duke Ellington School of Arts. He currently lives in Atlanta with his family. I had the privilege of being invited by Terry to the Howard Hewett, Tony Terry, and Rome concert on October 14, 2016. He is a very personable man with a contagious smile, and he’s an absolute delight to be around. He dedicated the show to his friend Tommy Ford better known as Tommy from the sitcom Martin who transitioned October 12, 2016.

I wanted to know what inspired his famous song “With You.” He states, “A friend of mine by the name of Raymond Reeder wrote the song. I had a lot going on in my life at that time and that song represented how I felt. The actual reason the song was written was a different story, but I recorded it because of the things I was going through and had just won custody of my baby…that made me happy. A lot of people don’t know it but Anita Baker is the reason that the video “With You” exists. I didn’t even know her at the time! She gave me the money to produce it and she is the Executive Producer.”

Terry has had many amazing and memorable moments. He was a 1991 Soul Train Music Award nominee. He reminisces, “I was honored to be in the category with Michael Jackson, and Luther Vandross… (Chuckling) Michael Jackson won!” Another memorable event for him was when he worked on a musical titled Sisterella that Michael Jackson produced. Terry continues, “The song “She’s Fly” was released in 1987 and written by one of my high school friends whom I hadn’t seen in a long time. I had just finished my album when I ran into him. I took him to the studio right away; we recorded “She’s Fly”…it ended up being the first single off the album that started the whole thing!”

I wanted to know more about Tony Terry the person, so I asked him to share a couple of things that most people don’t know about him. He proceeds, “A lot of people don’t know that I can cook…I can burn!!” Of course, I asked for an invite!! (Laughter) I asked if he played any instruments, and this was his response which had us both laughing, “I don’t play any instruments; I have a short attention span. The patience that it would require to learn an instrument I didn’t have, so I wanted to sing!!” He continues, “As far as hobbies, my son plays football so I’m active in that, supporting him and making sure he has what he needs. I take care of my family and keep a normal existence. I also spend a lot of time in the studio or in the gym.”

In 2010, Terry was the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) spokesperson. The association commemorated National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in Anaheim, California. Terry, whose wife has fibromyalgia, performed a special concert during the closing Lights of Hope candle lighting ceremony. He also created a not for profit organization, Tony Terry All Lives Matter, Inc. The proceeds from his 2015 released single, “All Lives Matter,” serves to benefit the victims of violence and brutality, and their families. Terry stated, “World peace is something that must happen without delay.”

Tony Terry has definitely not been idle. He is continually working on great music. His most recent album was iTony 6 which was released October 2015! In late 2016 he released a single titled “December Goodbye” which he tells me was an end of the year song…a break up song. He states, “I’m singing it with a friend, Sylver Logan Sharp. I went to high school with her; we had a long-term relationship. Emotionally it’s just a powerful song.” During this year’s 16th Annual Hank Stewarts White Linen Affair, Tony Terry will be part of an awesome musical lineup that includes Angie Stone, Norman Brown, Marion Meadows and others! He also has a CD compilation of his old and new songs that he has compiled especially for this event!! This man is steadily on the move! It’s clear to see that Terry is a multifaceted man, full of talent and has a lot going on. Look out for his new single coming soon! Good luck Tony! Remember we are “With You!”